Pop Japan

Kazunari Sumii is a fourth generation Shokunin known for making Gifu uchiwa (or Gifu fan). And as part of the tradition, he keeps the last Gifu fan store in Japan. The craft of making the fans almost died when his father passed away but Kazunari decided to take on the business and learn the craft on his own. His unique creation is a lacquer covered fan that shows a transparent design when it is looked under the light.

Uchiwa or Gifu Fan is one of two traditional fans in Japan. They are rigid and fixed in shape unlike the other known fan called sensu, or folding fans.

Shokunin is a Japanese word for craftsman or craftswoman. They are known for preserving the country's legacy of hand-crafting products drums, fans, pottery, and swords.

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Tags: art, traditional art, gifu fans, uchiwa, uchiwa fan, kazunari sumii, nagara river, muromachi, tomijiro, ancient art, TRADITION, Japan, Gifu Uchiwa, Shokunin Gifu fan, Uchiwa